The controversy surrounding the tragic on-set shooting during the production of the film “Rust,” which claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has taken another turn. The movie set armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has challenged her conviction for involuntary manslaughter, according to recent court filings. These legal documents reveal Gutierrez-Reed is seeking a retrial and petitioning for her release from incarceration while judicial deliberations continue.
Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction relates to the incident that occurred on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021, when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a firearm during a rehearsal, resulting in the fatal injury of Hutchins and wounding of the film’s director, Joel Souza. Her defense argued that the jury instructions provided during her trial may have caused confusion, potentially leading to a nonunanimous decision. Despite having previously raised objections regarding these instructions, they were dismissed during the initial trial.
The trial, which stretched over two weeks, saw prosecutors hinge their case on the accusation that Gutierrez-Reed had inadvertently allowed live rounds to be present on the “Rust” set, despite explicit prohibitions against such ammunition. They further alleged her failure to adhere to fundamental firearm safety procedures. These charges have culminated in her conviction, for which sentencing is anticipated to occur as early as April 15. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer of Santa Fe is presiding over the case and has issued current scheduling orders for the sentencing.
Involuntary manslaughter in New Mexico carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison along with a possible $5,000 fine. Pending her sentencing, Gutierrez-Reed remains detained at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility. Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin, indicted by a grand jury in January, maintains his innocence on the involuntary manslaughter charge he faces and is currently preparing for a trial set for July. Baldwin’s defense has steadfastly claimed that he cocked the gun’s hammer back but never actually pulled the trigger when the gun discharged.
The legal journey of those involved in the “Rust” accident has seen various developments. Notably, Rust assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls accepted a plea deal last year, acknowledging no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon. As a consequence, Halls was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation, a resolution he has since completed.
The case’s ramifications extend beyond the immediate legal outcomes; it has amplified conversations about safety protocols on film sets, particularly concerning the use of firearms and live ammunition. The film industry has been prompted to evaluate its practices and consider more stringent measures to prevent similar tragedies.
As for Gutierrez-Reed, her future rests on the outcome of her appeal for a new trial and the judicial review of her conviction’s legitimacy. The defense’s motion in court underscores a continued struggle to defend and clear Gutierrez-Reed’s name in a case that has garnered significant attention within both the English and world cinema communities. The continuation of this legal saga serves as a somber reminder of the unexpected risks present in the world of film production, and the dire consequences when safety measures fail. With the eyes of the public and industry professionals closely watching, the unfolding events following this appeal will doubtlessly shape future on-set safety regulations and the handling of weaponry in filmmaking.
